5. Feedback and Adaptation

And the Irish NGO, they have given a kind of target working group and the shelter working group along with the Irish NGO goal with coordination with the UNHCR, they developed a kind of joint shelter strategy.

The Irish NGO, in collaboration with the UNHCR, created a joint shelter strategy. This involved forming a target working group that focused on addressing specific needs in shelter provision for vulnerable populations. The strategy aims to streamline efforts and align goals between the various organizations involved, ensuring a comprehensive approach to shelter support.

Think of this similar to a sports team where different players have specific roles but need to work together toward a common goal, like winning a championship. Each player (or organization) brings their strengths and strategies, but they all aim for the same result: to support vulnerable communities effectively.

So, they have been some, this particular strategy have addressed some key issues, that has to be included in the process. One is the target group selection to ensure access to the most vulnerable, whether it is the women headed families or it is a elderly group or if they have lost their houses.

The joint shelter strategy focuses on identifying the most vulnerable groups that need assistance. This includes families headed by women, the elderly, and individuals who have lost their homes. By prioritizing these groups, the strategy aims to ensure that help is directed where it is needed the most, making the shelter support more effective.

Imagine a teacher who designs a lesson plan that focuses on students struggling the most in class. By identifying and addressing the needs of those students first, the teacher ensures that everyone has a better chance of succeeding, just like the shelter strategy focuses on the most vulnerable communities.

So, the widely varying degree of shelter experience and knowledge of design and construction between assistance agencies, which can lead to inadequate solutions with significant variance between shelter solutions.

Different assistance agencies have varying levels of experience and expertise in designing and constructing shelters. This difference can lead to inconsistencies in the quality and suitability of shelter solutions provided. Some agencies might offer excellent support, while others may not meet the necessary standards, resulting in inadequate housing for those in need.

It's like inviting different chefs to cook for a big event. Some chefs may be highly skilled, while others might still be learning. If you rely on everyone equally, the food quality will vary greatly, which can disappoint guests expecting a good meal.

So, also there is a need to integrate livelihood assistance with shelter provision because it is not just for the home we are providing.

The strategy emphasizes that providing shelter alone is not sufficient. There is a significant need to also support individuals in rebuilding their livelihoods. By integrating livelihood assistance alongside shelter provision, the strategy helps ensure that people can not only have a roof over their heads but also the means to sustain themselves and their families in the long term.

Consider a farmer who loses his home and crops due to a disaster. If he just receives a new house but no resources to plant crops or a way to earn a living, he will struggle. However, if he receives tools, seeds, and training alongside housing support, he can rebuild both his home and his livelihood successfully.

In the household selection, in assisting target group one, the following prerequisites has been applied where the security in the area of return...

When selecting households for assistance, certain criteria are established to ensure the process is fair and effective. These criteria include the security of the area where the households are returning, the willingness of families to return, and proof of land or house ownership. These prerequisites help in making informed decisions about who receives help, ensuring that resources are allocated to those who will benefit the most.

It's similar to a landlord choosing tenants for an apartment. The landlord looks at factors like rent affordability and a tenant's ability to pay, which helps ensure that the apartment is rented to someone who will take care of it and not cause issues.

So, the problem is, with this kind of categories, it’s not possible to accommodate everyone.

Due to limited resources, not every household that meets the selection criteria can receive assistance. This creates a complex situation where decisions must be made about who is most in need. The strategy aims to prioritize those who are in the greatest need, ensuring that limited resources are used effectively.

Imagine a charity event with limited food supplies. If there are more hungry people than food, the organizers must decide who gets fed based on need, which can be a challenging and emotional decision.

And then shelter design, because this is where the owner driven practices are already advocated in many disaster and displacement practices.

The shelter design aspect of the strategy focuses on owner-driven practices. This means involving residents in the decision-making process and allowing them to have a say in how their shelters are constructed. Such practices ensure that the designs meet the actual needs and preferences of the families who will live in them.

It's like a couple designing their home together. Instead of an architect making all the choices, they each contribute their ideas and preferences, resulting in a home that truly reflects their style and needs.

And this is where they talked about how we can incrementally upgrade the temporary structures to the permanent houses...

The strategy includes the option to upgrade temporary shelters into permanent structures over time. This incremental approach allows families to start with temporary housing and gradually improve their living conditions based on available resources and their changing needs.

Think of building a small garden shed. Initially, you may construct a simple structure, but over time, you can improve it by adding insulation, shelving, and even windows as you gather more materials and funds, gradually transforming it into a more functional space.

Now, what you can see is, based on these guidelines for GOAL and UNHCR brought local artisans to upgrade, to build a prototypes in this Nakuru place...

To enhance the shelter prototypes developed under the strategy, local artisans were involved in the building process. This not only ensures that the designs are practical and appropriate for the local context but also empowers the community by creating local jobs and incorporating their knowledge and skills into the construction process.

Similar to how a local carpenter may build furniture tailored to the specific needs of their community, involving local artisans ensures that the shelters are designed with community input and expertise, making them more sustainable and culturally suitable.

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